Friday, April 3, 2009

The Morris Workshop

Strike-offs in the colorway "Wardle's Sky-Blue"

My next collection of reproduction fabric for Moda, called The Morris Workshop, is based on designs by English artist William Morris and his colleagues. The prints were designed by Morris himself with two from his major design partner John Henry Dearle. Dearle began as an assistant when he was a boy and took over the firm's art direction after Morris's death in 1896.

The fabric shown is what those in the fabric trade call strike-offs, the proofs. These are snippets of the prints in various colorways (color variations). The prints in the pictures are those I picked out of a larger group of possibilities. I should remember to photograph the ones I didn't pick---it's interesting to see how some things just don't work. But I think these work really well and reflect the Morris aesthetic.

William Morris has been a favorite of mine for years but I find that when it comes to making a quilt I shy away from using them. I have several colorways of an older line that I pet...but really don't use except for when I am looking for a scrapbag look...any suggestions on pattern designs that would really feature the prints?

Cathie in UtahI know it's a problem---how to use them. Because William Morris and his advocates really were not interested in patchwork. I'll post patterns as the fabric becomes available but here are a few ideas for now.See Michele Hill's book William Morris in Applique for some really elaborate applique. Perfect for these fabrics.See my book Making History for two or three Arts & Crafts style quilts, pieced and appliqued and download a free pattern from Moda for my last collection a Morris Garden. Click here: http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_a-morris-garden.pdf

Searching For a Topic?

Search This Blog

Contact Me

JE SUIS CHARLIE

Click on the free label to read a post on remembering the French journalists and the freedom of the press.

EMPORIA ROSE

Click on the cover to read a post about our 2014 book.

See a Preview at Amazon

E-Book version of Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.

Click on the book cover to buy a downloadable version.

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

This bound volume of this index to 4,000 designs with names is Out of Print. See used copies below or buy an E-Book version

THE GARDEN QUILT: Interpreting a Masterpiece

Ilyse Moore and I have a pattern book for the masterpiece Garden applique medallion. Click on the cover to read more.

The Garden Quilt

BlockBase

This computer program features over 4,300 patterns. Use it for pattern ideas, pattern I.D. and pattern drafting. Program is for PC's. Click on the box.

Visit My Spoonflower Shop

I have a few designs available at Spoonflower.com. You can buy yardage of postcard backs, quilt labels (like the one in the photo) and political prints in my Material Culture shop. Click on the label.

BOOK OF THE SAINTS EBOOK

You can buy my Book of the Saints For Quilters as an EBook for IPads for $3.99. Click on the picture to find ordering information for my 30-page collection of photocollages.

Lately Arrived EBook for IPads

A few years ago I did a Blurb book to accompany my Moda repro collection Lately Arrived From London. You can buy this little book with ideas and information on early quilts for $3.99 for your IPad. Click to see

CLUES IN THE CALICO eBook

My classic about dating antique quilts has been out of print for years. Buy a digital version by clicking on the picture of the eBook. Or click on the Amazon button for a used copy.

Clues in the Calico Print Book

Making History: Quilts & Fabric From 1890-1970

A guide to making reproduction quilts, choosing reproduction prints and dating fabrics. Click on the cover to read more and see a preview.

America's Printed Fabrics: 1770-1890

How to date antique fabrics and add to your stash of reproduction prints with projects for reproduction quilts.

A french version

PATTERN INDEXES

Need a pattern name or a fresh idea? Want to know the source or designer's name? Look to these bound indexes or my digital BlockBase, the software version of the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, compatible with Electric Quilt.

Encyclopedia of Applique

The Encyclopedia of Applique second edition. Click on the book for more information about an E-Book format and below for a traditional book format.

CIVIL WAR REPRODUCTION QUILTS

We are remembering the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War from 2011-2015. Over the years I've written several books featuring traditional patterns suitable for recalling the War in a sesquicentennial quilt.

CIVIL WAR SAMPLER

My 2013 book based on my Civil War Quilts blog. Click on the Amazon button below to see a preview:

Facts and Fabrications

Twenty traditional blocks to "Unravel the History of Quilts and Slavery." Click on the cover above to see an E-Book version or below for a traditional book format.

Borderland in Butternut and Blue

A Block of the Month featuring patterns and stories recalling the Civil War in the west. Click on the cover to see more.

Borderland in Butternut & Blue

Quilts From the Civil War

Information on the role of quilts in the Civil War. Click on the cover to read more and order a digital version of this out-of-print classic or buy it used below.

Quilts From the Civil War

Civil War Women

More about quilts and how women used them during the War for fundraising, patriotism and practical bedding. Click on the cover to see more about a Print-On-Demand book.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH SERIES

The books below feature a series of blocks on a theme, perfect for shops looking for classes and clubs. Or challenge yourself to do a block every month and finish a sampler this year.

Juniper and Mistletoe

Karla Menaugh and I designed a BOM featuring quirky tree designs we found in antique quilts. Click on the cover to see more.

Carrie Hall's Sampler

A Block of the Month, featuring my favorite applique from Carrie Hall's 1935 Romance of the Patchwork Quilt.

Women of Design: Quilts in the Newspaper

Stitch pieced and appliqued baskets in the style of pattern designers from the 1930s as you learn about where quilt patterns come from.

Prairie Flower: A Year on the Plains

First published in The Kansas City Star as a block of the month, these original applique patterns recall the landscape of the westward migration.

Prairie Flower

museum catalogs

Over the years I've done catalogs of collections and museum shows. Here are links to a few.